Poem: Small is Relative
among the many things
that go unseen
the small things
busy
there, against the pale grass - a flash of wings
there, by the oak - a glint of blue
there, look close - trident antennae
some beetles will fly miles
to reach their dung of choice
open up a clod and see
the hidden wealth within
a hundred critters
busy
theirs is the dung
theirs is the earth made from the dung
theirs is the burying of carbon
the feeding of soil
theirs is the nursing of berries and seeds
the gift of future feasts
do not say they are small
they are the trillions
not counted alone but together
busy
in the cycling of life
This poem was inspired by our meeting with Clive Turner, who shared his extensive knowledge about - and passion for - dung beetles with us in Dartmoor National Park. You can find out more about dung beetles in this post.
